NEW POLICE POST FILLED

When Matthew Carl started as a patrol officer on the night shift in East Windsor, he was perfectly happy with the quick pace required for solving problems.

However, when he was assigned to a special rotation in narcotics cases, he grew to appreciate being able to see a case through -- from the beginning investigation to an arrest and eventually to court.

Carl, 30, this week was appointed as the police department's first permanent detective. The police commission approved Carl's appointment Wednesday. He is scheduled to start in the job Aug. 4.

Carl said that when he started helping out with major cases he grew to like aspects of investigations such as sitting down and interviewing people.

"I realized that was like my niche," Carl said.

In the past, the detective position has been considered a special assignment for whoever held it. The current investigator, Glenn Stavol, has been assigned as the department's investigator for about six years.

Carl has been the town's community policing/youth officer for the past two years. He was hired in 1996.

Stavol and Carl have worked together on several cases. Carl said he has learned a lot from Stavol and thinks the transition will go smoothly.

"I think Glenn and I have worked well together," Carl said.

Police Chief Thomas J. Laufer Sr. said Carl was one of four applicants for the job and he scored the highest on the exam. Carl then was interviewed and approved by the police commission Wednesday.

Laufer said Carl is an excellent officer who works hard and is very aware of the responsibilities of his job.

"He's got a lot of potential," Laufer said.

Having a permanent detective position allows for consistency in handling major cases rather than having people rotate in and out of the job every few years, Laufer said. In the future, the department hopes to establish a two- or three-member detective unit, he said.

Carl said he thinks a successful detective is someone who is firm and fair. Having those qualities in a small community like East Windsor makes it easier to work with people, he said.

"I really believe if the word gets out that you're not fair, you're not going to be successful," Carl said.